| abstract |
A cryoablation catheter having a distal portion cooled by a refrigerant is described. The catheter includes a pressure sensor in the distal portion to monitor a pressure of the refrigerant. The monitored pressure may be used to determine the integrity of the catheter, both before and during a surgical procedure, so that the supply of refrigerant is interrupted if a leak is discovered. The monitored pressure may also be used in a feedback loop to control the performance of the cryoablation catheter. |